KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man accused of killing his ex-wife and his former divorce attorney has been sentenced to life in prison.

58-year-old Michael Petersen, of rural Glenvil, was sentenced Wednesday in Buffalo County District Court after pleading no contest last month to first-degree murder in the Nov. 13 shooting death of Nancy Petersen outside her home. In exchange for his plea, a weapons count in the shooting death of his ex-wife was dropped.

Petersen also faces first-degree murder and a weapons charge in Hall County District Court for the Nov. 13 death of 52-year-old attorney Todd Elsbernd. Elsbernd was shot with a rifle outside his Grand Island law office.

Petersen has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from Elsbernd’s death. That case is pending.

Long-time North Platte Public Schools employee, John Byrn, has been recommended as the new principal at Jefferson Elementary.

NPPS Associate Superintendent Tami Eshleman, and Superintendent Marty Bassett have recommended Byrn to the North Platte Public Schools Board of Education.  The position was vacant due to the recent resignation of Denise DiGiovanni.

Byrn has been with NPPS for 12 years, serving as the Middle School Alternative Education teacher, STEM Teacher and Dean of Students at Madison Middle School.

Additionally, Byrn has coached middle school sports at Madison.

Byrn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Emporia State University, and will complete his Administrative Degree at the University of Nebraska at Kearney this summer.

“John brings varied experience to Jefferson Elementary,” said Eshleman.  “John’s honesty and integrity were noted by the interview team.”

Byrn is married to North Platte native Shelly Byrn (Sack), who is a teacher and head volleyball coach at St. Patrick’s High School.  They have two children, Samantha and Bryce.

He will begin serving immediately, pending the approval of the recommendation by the Board of Education.

A North Platte man is facing theft charges after he allegedly stole a computer and jewelry from a family member.

An officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to a reported theft in the 3100 block of Ioke at around 12:30 a.m., on Tuesday.

The victim reported that they suspected a family member, Joshua Richards, had stolen a laptop from their bedroom.

The victim told officers that they had spoken to Richards, and he indicated that the laptop was at one of his friend’s house.  They said they then contacted the friend, who stated that they hadn’t seen Richards in over a year.

On Wednesday, an officer made contact with Richards and, following an investigation, determined there was probable cause to cite Richards for misdemeanor theft.

Later on Wednesday evening, the victim again contacted police to report that Richards had stolen jewelry.

The victim said they feared that Richards would steal more items from them while they were at work, so they hid jewelry in a suitcase.  Upon returning home from work, the victim discovered that the suitcase was missing.

Another family member stated that they had seen Richards leaving the home with the suitcase.

An officer eventually located Richards driving in the 2000 block of East Phillip and conducted a traffic stop.

Investigator John Deal says the officer determined that Richards was driving under the influence of drugs.  Richards then voluntarily handed over drug paraphernalia and allowed the officer to search the vehicle.

During the search, the officer discovered some of the stolen jewelry.

It was determined that the value of the jewelry was over $500.

Richards was placed under arrest and charged with felony theft by unlawful taking and driving under the influence of drugs.

He was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.